Motorized vacuum/pressure pump and stopper

ABSTRACT

A pump and stopper combination for vacuum or pressure sealing a container. The stopper has a pour opening and a one-way valve movable between an operative position to permit one-way flow of fluid into or out of the container when the pour opening is in the closed position, and an inoperative position when the pour opening is in the open position. A vacuum/pressure pump that connects to the stopper includes a drive adapted to convert rotational movement of a motor to reciprocating motion of a pump piston in a chamber, and one-way pump valves mounted in a selectable flow control member. The selectable flow control member is movable between pressure and vacuum positions to permit passage of fluid only into or out of the pump chamber. The pump also includes an indicator for indicating when a desired level of vacuum or pressure has been reached. The pump may be incorporated into a container lid.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to motorized pumps and stoppers which may be usedfor pressurizing and/or evacuating food or drink containers and, inparticular, to a motorized vacuum/pressure pump which employs a pistondrive mechanism to convert rotary motion of a motor to a reciprocatingmotion of a piston and a valve selectable to change the pump betweenvacuum and pressure pumping modes, and a stopper which may be switchedbetween pour and vacuum/pressure seal positions. The pump may beincorporated into a container lid.

2. Description of Related Art

A combination vacuum/pressure pump for preserving wine and/or foodsunder vacuum, and pressurizing carbonated drinks and other foods, isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,785. This pump utilizes a hand-pumpingmechanism, switchable between vacuum and pressure modes, and mates witha valve stopper, likewise switchable between vacuum and pressure modes,that is disposed in the open mouth of a food or drink container. Whilethis combination vacuum/pressure pump is quite useful, it requires theuser to open the pump head to switch between the vacuum and pressurepumping modes. A more convenient vacuum/pressure switching method wouldbe useful. Also, it would be useful to have a vacuum/pressure pump whichdoes not require hand-pumping operation.

The '785 patent also discloses a stopper for use with thevacuum/pressure pump, which has a valve element that may be reversedbetween vacuum and pressure sealing positions. However, in order toaccess the contents of the food or drink container, the stopper must beremoved from the mouth of the container. It would be useful to provide away to access the contents of the container without having to remove thestopper.

Another vacuum pump and stopper system employs an audible click when thesystem reaches a desired level of vacuum, relying on a mechanical systemto generate the sound. It would be useful to have an indicator in both avacuum and pressure system that provides a reliable indicator, notlimited to a sound, to indicate when the desired level of vacuum orpressure has been achieved.

Some foods or drinks that are preferably stored at a vacuum also areprovided in containers that cannot be closed with bottle stoppers, suchas coffee in conventional one-pound containers. It would be desirable tohave a way to automatically seal and store the contents of suchcontainers in a vacuum.

Moreover, it is important in vacuum/pressure pump and stopper systems toutilize one-way valves that are inexpensive to manufacture, yet sealproperly.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it istherefore an object of the present invention to provide a combinationvacuum/pressure pump, which is conveniently switchable between thevacuum and pressure modes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide avacuum/pressure pump which is externally switchable between vacuum andpressure modes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combinationvacuum/pressure pump which does not require hand pumping operation.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide acombination vacuum/pressure pump which is of compact design and whichmay easily fit into, and be operated by, a user's hand.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stopper forvacuum or pressure sealing a food or drink container that provides readyaccess to the contents of the container, without having to remove thestopper.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pump thatreliably indicates the desired level of vacuum or pressure.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pump and lidcombination which automatically seals and store the contents of suchcontainers in a vacuum.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a one-wayvalve that may be used in both vacuum/pressure pumps and stoppers thatis inexpensive to manufacture, yet seals properly.

The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled inart, are achieved in the present invention which is directed in oneaspect to a combination vacuum and pressure pump comprising a pumphousing having an opening for connection to a container to be evacuatedor pressurized, a pump chamber within the pump housing, and a piston insliding, substantially airtight engagement with walls of the pumpchamber, adapted to reciprocate between pressure and vacuum strokeswithin the chamber. The pump includes at least one one-way valvecommunicating with the pump chamber, permitting passage of fluid onlyinto or out of the pump chamber and a selectable flow control member inthe pump housing having a pair of passages therein and movable betweenpressure and vacuum positions. In the pressure position, one of theselectable flow control member passages connects the pump chamber andthe pump housing opening to permit passage of fluid from the pumpchamber out of the housing connection opening during the piston pressurestroke, and the other of the selectable flow control member passagespermits passage of fluid into the pump chamber from a region external tothe pump chamber through a one-way valve during the piston vacuumstroke. In the vacuum position, one of the first selectable flow controlmember passages connects a one-way valve to the pump chamber to permitpassage of fluid from the pump chamber out to the external regionthrough the one-way valve during the piston pressure stroke, and theother of the selectable flow control member passages permits passage offluid from the housing connection opening to the pump chamber during thepiston vacuum stroke.

The pump preferably includes a motor for reciprocating the piston withinthe pump chamber, more preferably a motor having a rotating output shaftand a piston drive for converting rotary movement of the output shaft toreciprocating motion of the piston within the pump chamber.

Preferably, the selectable flow control member has a first passageextending from one side to the other, and the one-way valve is disposedin the selectable flow control member first passage. The selectable flowcontrol member is rotatable: i) in the pressure position, to place theone-way valve in an orientation to permit passage of fluid only into thepiston chamber, and ii) in the vacuum position, to place the one-wayvalve in an orientation to permit passage of fluid only out of thepiston chamber.

The selectable flow control member may comprise a cylindrical bodyrotatingly received within a cavity in the pump housing, wherein thepassage therein extends from an opening on one side surface of the bodyto an opening on the other side surface of the body. There is furtherincluded a seal extending around the flow control member body, such asO-rings, between the body and the cavity, separating the passageopenings on each side surface of the flow control member body. Theselectable flow control member preferably also includes a handleextending outward of the pump housing for rotating the selectable flowcontrol member between the pressure and vacuum positions.

More preferably, the selectable flow control member has a pair ofpassages extending from one side to the other, and includes a firstone-way valve disposed in one of the selectable flow control memberpassages and a second one-way valve disposed in the other of theselectable flow control member passages, with the one way valves beingdisposed in opposite orientations in the passages. The selectable flowcontrol member is rotatable: i) in the pressure position, to place thefirst one-way valve in an orientation to permit passage of fluid fromthe external region only into the piston chamber and to place the secondone-way valve in an orientation to permit passage of fluid only out fromthe piston chamber and through the housing connection opening, and ii)in the vacuum position, to place the first one-way valve in anorientation to permit passage of fluid from the piston chamber only outto the external region and to place the second one-way valve in anorientation to permit passage of fluid only into the piston chamber fromthe housing connection opening.

In another embodiment, the pump includes a pair of one-way valvescommunicating with the pump chamber, with the first one-way chambervalve permitting passage of fluid only into the pump chamber, and thesecond one-way chamber valve permitting passage of fluid only out of thepump chamber. The pump also includes a pair of one-way valvescommunicating externally to the pump housing, with the first one-wayexternal valve permitting passage of fluid only out to a region externalto the pump housing, and the second one-way external valve permittingpassage of fluid only out of the housing connection opening. In thisembodiment, the selectable flow control member is disposed in the pumphousing between the one-way chamber valves and the one-way externalvalves, and has a pair of passages therein and movable between pressureand vacuum positions. In the pressure position, the first selectableflow control member passage connects the second one-way chamber valve tothe housing connection opening and the second selectable flow controlmember passage connects the pump chamber to the second one-way externalvalve, thereby permitting passage of fluid from the pump chamber out ofthe housing connection opening during the piston pressure stroke, andpermitting passage of fluid from the external region to the pump chamberduring the piston vacuum stroke. In the vacuum position, the firstselectable flow control member passage connects the pump chamber to thefirst external valve opening and the second selectable flow controlmember passage connects the first chamber valve to the housingconnection opening, thereby permitting passage of fluid from the pumpchamber out to the external region during the piston pressure stroke,and permitting passage of fluid from the housing connection opening tothe pump chamber during the piston vacuum stroke.

The piston drive may comprise a member extending transversely to thedirection of movement of the piston and a track extendingcircumferentially around and engaging the transversely extending memberin sliding relationship. The track has a non-linear configuration,preferably substantially sinusoidal, such that, upon rotation of theoutput shaft, the transversely extending member slides with respect tothe track and imparts a reciprocating motion to the operativelyconnected piston within the pump chamber. Preferably, the transverselyextending member is disposed on a rotatable drive member operativelyconnected to the motor output shaft and comprises at least one wheelslidingly captured in the track, which extends circumferentially aroundan interior wall of a reciprocating drive member connected to thepiston. The rotatable drive member extends within the reciprocatingdrive member and adapted to rotate the transversely extending member tocause the transversely extending member to slide within the track andimpart reciprocating motion to the operatively connected piston withinthe pump chamber.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a pumpcomprising a pump housing having a pump chamber, and a piston insliding, substantially airtight engagement with walls of the pumpchamber, adapted to reciprocate in a direction between pressure andvacuum strokes within the chamber, for pumping air into or out of thepump. The pump includes a motor in the pump housing powering a rotatableoutput shaft and a piston drive operatively connecting the motor outputshaft and the piston. The piston drive comprises a member extendingtransversely to the direction of movement of the piston and a trackextending circumferentially around and engaging the transverselyextending member in sliding relationship. The track has a non-linearconfiguration such that, upon rotation of the output shaft, thetransversely extending member slides with respect to the track andimparts a reciprocating motion to the operatively connected pistonwithin the pump chamber.

Preferably, the one-way valve comprises a valve seat having an openingtherein; and a valve diaphragm having a sealing member supported byflexible arms in a normally biased position against and sealing thevalve seat opening. When a fluid such as air is forced in a firstdirection through the valve seat opening against the sealing member, thearms flex and move the sealing member away from the valve seat openingto permit fluid (air) flow out of the valve seat opening. When the fluid(air) is forced in a direction opposite the first direction, the arms donot flex and the sealing member remains in the normally biased positionagainst and sealing the valve seat opening to restrict fluid flow. Morepreferably, the sealing member comprises a bulb or cap suspended by aplurality of radially extending arms attached to the valve seat outwardof the valve seat opening.

In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a pumpcomprising a pump chamber, a piston in the pump chamber, and theaforedescribed one-way valve communicating with the pump chamber.

A further aspect of the present invention is directed to a pumpcomprising a housing, a pump chamber in the housing, a piston slidablein the pump chamber, and an indicator for indicating when a desiredlevel of vacuum or pressure has been reached. The indicator comprises aflexible membrane exposed to atmospheric pressure outside the pump andto fluid pressure present within the pump chamber, and a movableelectrical contact operatively connected to the membrane. The movablecontact completes one circuit when the pressure in the pump falls to adesired pressure below atmospheric pressure, and completes anothercircuit when the pressure in the pump rises to a desired pressure aboveatmospheric pressure. The indicator also includes an indicator signalenergizable when the movable electrical contact completes either one orthe other circuit.

The pump housing opening may be removably connected to an opening of afood or drink container, preferably to a one-way stopper in an openingof a food or drink container.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a stopper forcontacting and sealing with an opening in a container, the stopperhaving an opening therethrough between the container interior andexterior and the aforedescribed one-way valve disposed in the opening.

In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a stopper forcontacting and sealing with an opening in a container, with the stopperhaving a pour opening for accessing contents in the container. The pouropening is movable between open and closed positions, and includes aone-way valve movably disposed in the stopper between an operativeposition to permit one-way flow of fluid into or out of the containerwhen the pour opening is in the closed position, and an inoperativeposition when the pour opening is in the open position.

Preferably, the one-way valve is movable to a first operative positionwhen the pour opening is in the closed position to permit one-way flowof fluid into the container, and to a second operative position when thepour opening is in the closed position to permit one-way flow of fluidout of the container. The stopper more preferably includes a rotatableball valve body having the pour opening disposed therein in a firstdirection, and the one-way valve disposed therein in a second direction.The ball valve body is movable between the first and second directionsto open and close the pour opening, and respectively render inoperativeand operative the one-way valve.

Additionally, the stopper opening between the container interior andexterior includes a central pour opening for pouring out the contents ofthe container when the container is tipped from an upright position, andat least one parallel passageway adjacent the central pour opening topermit air to flow into the container to release back pressure.

Preferably, the present invention provides the aforedescribed pump andstopper in combination with each other.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a lid for a containerto be maintained at a predetermined vacuum or pressure condition.Attached to a lid portion adapted to seal to the opening of a containerare a vacuum or pressure pump having passages for removing or addingfluid through the lid portion, a motor attached to the lid for operatingthe pump, and a battery attached to the lid for energizing the motor. Anelectrical circuit connecting the battery and motor includes anormally-closed indicator contact which is opened by an indicator whenpressure in the container reaches a predetermined level above or belowthat outside the container. The circuit also includes a normally-openswitch contact closed by a switch when the lid is attached and sealed toa container. When the lid is initially attached and sealed to thecontainer, the indicator and switch contacts are closed and the pumpremoves or adds fluid to the container through the lid until pressure inthe container reaches a predetermined level, whereupon the indicatorcontact opens. When the lid is removed from the container the switchcontact opens and the pump is inoperable. The pump may be thecombination vacuum pressure pump, or the vacuum-only or pressure onlypump embodiments described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elementscharacteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in theappended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and arenot drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as toorganization and method of operation, may best be understood byreference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially in cross section, showingthe preferred vacuum/pressure pump of the present invention mating witha prior art stopper in the neck of a food or drink container.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the major components ofthe preferred vacuum/pressure pump of the present invention, showing thevacuum/pressure switch in the vacuum position.

FIG. 2 a is an enlargement, partially in cross-section and partially inschematic form, of the preferred vacuum/pressure limit indicatoremployed in the pump of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the piston and piston drive portionof the preferred vacuum/pressure pump of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view of the interior of the piston drive chamber of FIG. 3,as it would be if unwrapped.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the preferredvacuum/pressure pump of FIG. 2, showing the vacuum/pressure switch inthe pressure position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the preferred combinationvacuum/pressure flow control member or switch utilized in the preferredembodiment of FIGS. 2 and 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of anotherembodiment of vacuum/pressure pump of the present invention, showing thevacuum/pressure switch in the pressure position.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the embodimentof FIG. 7, showing the vacuum/pressure switch in the vacuum position.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of anotherembodiment of the vacuum/pressure pump of the present invention, showingthe vacuum/pressure switch in the pressure position.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of thevacuum/pressure pump of FIG. 9, showing the vacuum/pressure valve in thevacuum position.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the combination vacuum/pressure flowcontrol member or switch utilized in the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional elevational view of a preferred combinationvacuum/pressure stopper for a food or drink container, useful with thecombination vacuum/pressure pump of the present invention, with thestopper in an open, pour position.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the combinationvacuum/pressure stopper of FIG. 12, with the stopper in an closedposition in which the one-way valve is in an operative vacuum position.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the ball valve body and knob employedin the combination vacuum/pressure stopper of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the combination vacuum/pressure stopperof FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the preferred one-way valve diaphragms ofthe present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side, cross-sectional, elevational view of the preferredone-way valve of the present invention, employing one embodiment of thediaphragm of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a side, cross-sectional, elevational view of the preferredone-way valve of the present invention, employing another embodiment ofthe diaphragm of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is an elevational view, partially in cross section, of thecombination vacuum/pressure pump of the present invention utilizing aneedle to inject pressurized air through the cork and into a winecontainer.

FIG. 20 is an elevational view, partially in cross section, of the pumpof the present invention, configured in the vacuum-pumping mode, builtinto the lid of a food or drink container.

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the combination vacuum pump and lid ofFIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed in various preferred aspects to ahand-held, battery or otherwise powered motorized combinationvacuum/pressure pump for either evacuating air from, or pressurizing,liquid containers. In the vacuum mode, it is most useful for removingair from partially filled wine bottles and food containers, to preservethe contents. In the pressure mode, it may be used to add air topressurize partially filled champagne or soda bottles to preserve theircontents and to remove the corks from wine bottles. The motorizedcombination vacuum/pressure pump is intended to be used in place of thehand-operated vacuum/pressure of your U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,785, and isdirectly compatible with the one-way vacuum/pressure stopper shown inthat patent. Other style stoppers may also be used to vacuum seal orpressurize containers.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention,reference will be made herein to FIGS. 1-21 of the drawings in whichlike numerals refer to like features of the invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown the preferred embodiment of thecombination vacuum/pressure pump of the present invention 10. Pumphousing 12 has at a lower end thereof a pump head 14 which mates with afood, drink or other container 30 which is to be either evacuated orpressurized. As shown in FIG. 1, pump head 14 is in position to matewith a vacuum or pressure stopper 20 of the type depicted in U.S. Pat.No. 5,031,785, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference. Stopper 20 has a lower cylindrical portion 26 frictionallyinserted into the neck opening 32 of container 30. An upstanding collar22 has an inside corner or lip 24 which mates with the exterior conicalsurface of pump head 14 as shown by the dotted lines, when the pump headis lowered in the direction of the arrow to mate with stopper 20.Stopper 20 may have a vacuum or pressure configuration, as the contentsof container 30 require. As shown in FIG. 1, the stopper 20 is of avacuum configuration, wherein a mushroom valve 28 has a vacuum sealinghead portion 29, which is connected by a valve stopper to a valvestopper button 27. As a vacuum is created by the mated pump, mushroomvalve head 29 lifts up and permits air (or other fluid) within container30 to be evacuated through stopper opening 23. When the vacuum pumpingis ended, mushroom valve head 29 returns to seal opening 23. In thereverse, pressure position, mushroom valve 28 serves to prevent the lossof pressurizing fluid within container 30 while permitting the entry ofpressurizing fluid through opening 23. Other vacuum or pressure stoppersmay be utilized to mate with pump 10. While the operation of the pump ofthe present invention will be described with reference to pumping air,it is to be understood that the pump may be utilized to pump any otherfluid as well, either gaseous or liquid.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 2, the motorized combinationvacuum/pressure pump of the present invention has a generallycylindrical plastic housing 12 which is sized to be easily held by auser's hand. At the upper end thereof, a battery pack 18, either holdingrechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries, powers an electrical motor40 having an output shaft 42 which rotates along an axis generallycoaxial with housing 12. Alternatively, the motor may be connected bymeans of a conventional power cord to a source of AC or DC power.Operatively connected to the output shaft 42 of the motor is a pistondrive mechanism, which comprises piston drive rotating member 52 andpiston drive reciprocating member 50. Piston drive rotating member 52 isconnected to output shaft 42 by a pin or other connector. Piston drivereciprocating member 50 is preferably cylindrical in configuration andcoaxial with housing 12, and is connected at its lower end to piston 44which includes a pair of flexible polymeric seals 46 which mate with andslide along the interior walls of chamber 48 within housing 12 insubstantially airtight engagement. Both piston 44 and piston drivereciprocating member 50 are preferably integrally formed as a singleunit, as shown, and slide in a reciprocating motion, up and down, withinthe housing as shown by the direction of arrow 51. The upstroke of thepiston and piston drive reciprocating member is generally referred to asthe vacuum stroke, and the down stroke of piston and piston and pistondrive reciprocating member is generally referred to as the pressurestroke.

The structure of the piston drive mechanism is shown in more detail inFIGS. 3 and 4. Piston drive reciprocating member 50 has a hollowcylindrical body, with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the innerdiameter of housing 12 to permit it to reciprocate with piston 44 duringthe vacuum and pressure strokes in the directions of arrow 51. Pistondrive rotating member 52 includes a cylindrical shaft portion extendingdownward from the motor output shaft within reciprocating member 50, andis held in coaxial orientation therewith by bearings 56 mounted withinreciprocating member 50 and 50 a, to permit relative rotational movementof rotating member 52. Extending around the interior cylindrical wall ofreciprocating member 50 is a track 54, which comprises a groove that isnon-linear in configuration. In the preferred embodiment, when theinterior wall of reciprocating member 50 is shown in an unwrapped viewin FIG. 4, track 54 has a sinusoidal configuration which extends upwardand downward as it wraps around the inner periphery of reciprocatingmember 50. The lower portion of track 54 is formed by a sinusoidallyextending ledge within member 50, and the upper portion of the track isformed by the lower, complimentarily formed lip of inner sleeve member50 a, which is keyed and compression fit or welded to member 50.

Received in sliding and/or rolling relationship within track 54 is awheel 60, which is mounted on an axle 58 extending transversely from theaxis of rotating member 52. When rotating member 52 rotates as shown indirection of arrow 53, it is prevented from reciprocal movement in thedirection of arrow 51 by its fixed attachment to output shaft 42 ofmotor 40. As wheel 60 travels within track 54, due to the non-linear,sinusoidal configuration of the track, a reciprocating movement isimparted to piston drive reciprocating member 50 in direction of arrow51. A pin 36 extending outward from reciprocating member 50 through avertical slot 37 in the side of housing 12 prevents reciprocating member50 from rotational movement in direction 53 while permittingreciprocating movement in directions 51. Spacer ring 55 is connected toand extends around the outer periphery of the upper portion ofreciprocating member 50 to permit proper alignment during reciprocatingmovement. This reciprocating movement is imparted to the operativelyconnected piston 44 to move piston 44 alternately through vacuum andpressure strokes as motor 40 operates to turn output shaft 42 androtating member 52. Other non-linear configurations of track 54 may beutilized for example, a saw tooth shape, to impart any type of desiredreciprocating movement to piston 44. Instead of the groove shown, thetrack may be a continuous protrusion extending circumferentially aroundthe inside of reciprocating member 50, and the shaft/wheel slidinglycaptures the protruding track. Moreover, the position of the track andshaft/wheel may be reversed, so that the track is disposed in the outerside wall of rotational member 52 and the shaft and wheel are disposedextending in from reciprocating member 50. Also, a pair of wheels may beemployed, for example, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, wherein anadditional axle and wheel extend from member 52 to the right, oppositewheel 60, and also engaged with track 54.

The pumping motion of piston 44 may be utilized to operate pump 10 ineither pressure or vacuum mode. A cylindrical flow control member orswitch 70 (see also FIG. 6) extending through housing 12 at the lowerend thereof permits the user to select either the pressure or vacuumpositions by rotation of valve knob 16. Selectable flow control member70 is disposed within the walls of a close-fitting, comparably-sizedcylindrical opening 76 extending transversely across housing 12. Pumpchamber 48 is formed between piston 44, housing 12 walls, and wall 71above flow control member 70. Openings 69 a, 69 b in wall 71respectively align and permit communication with one-way valves 62 a, 62b, disposed in passageways 66, 68, of member 70. Both passageways extendcompletely through flow control member 70, so that passageway 66connects openings 65 a and 65 b on opposite sides of member 70, andpassageway 68 connects openings 67 a and 67 b on opposite sides ofmember 70 (FIG. 8). The lower opening 67 a of passageway 68 aligns andcommunicates with passageway 74 to atmospheric air surrounding housing12, and the lower opening 65 a of passageway 66 aligns and communicateswith passageway 72 which extends out through a bottom opening of pumphead 14, to connect to the food or drink container. Because of itscylindrical configuration, flow control member 70 may be rotated bytwisting handle 16 to change the orientations of, and permitteddirection of flow through, one-way valves 62 a, 62 b. Flow controlmember 70 preferably has a seal comprising a resilient polymericsurface, or O-rings (not shown) around openings 65 a, 65 b, 67 a, 67 b,in slidingly sealed airtight relationship with the walls of cylindricalopening 76, to prevent air from passing around or through the memberother than through passages 66 and 68, while permitting rotation of thecylindrical member.

The vacuum and pressure positions of flow control member 70 and theone-way valves therein are shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, respectively. Asshown in FIG. 2 in the vacuum-pumping configuration, one-way valve 62 ais disposed within passageway 68 of flow control member 70, betweenchamber 48 and slot 74 in the side of pump housing 12 which communicateswith atmospheric air surrounding housing 12. One-way valve 62 a opens topermit only outflow of air from chamber 48, through wall opening 69 aand passageway 68 to atmosphere during the downward pressure stroke ofpiston 44. No atmospheric air may pass into chamber 48 through one-wayvalve 62 a which closes during the upward vacuum stroke of the piston.Opening 65 a (FIG. 6) of cylindrical member passageway 66 communicateswith bore 72 which extends out through a bottom opening of pump head 14.During the upstroke of piston 44, air flows through bore 72 in the lowerend of housing 12, normally connected to a food or drink container, toone way valve 62 b which opens to permit only passage of air upwardthrough opening 65 b, through wall opening 69 b, and into chamber 48.This permits air to be withdrawn from the container and replenishedwithin chamber 48 during the piston upstroke. One-way valve 62 b closesand does not permit escape of air from the chamber or through internalpassageway 66 to the container during the down stroke of piston 44.

In the pressure-pumping configuration depicted in FIG. 5, knob 16 isrotated 180° to reverse the configurations of the one-way valves ininternal passageways 66 and 68. During the upward vacuum stroke ofpiston 44, air travels inward from atmosphere through slot 74 andthrough the now lower opening 67 b of internal passageway 68 incylindrical member 70, through one-way valve 62 a, and then upwards andout through opening 67 a and through opening 69 a into chamber 48.During the downward pressure stroke of piston 44, one-way valve 62 acloses and does not permit flow in the reverse direction, i.e., out, ofchamber 48. Instead, air in chamber 48 is exhausted through wall opening69 b and the now upper opening 65 a of internal passageway 66, throughone-way valve 62 b and cylindrical member opening 65 b, and out throughbore 72 to the container. One-way valve 62 b closes and does not permitflow of air in the reverse direction.

The preferred embodiment of pump 10 also incorporates an indicator 110to signal when the container has reached the proper level of pressure orvacuum. Indicator 110 (FIG. 2) disposed in a chamber 115 comprises aflexible membrane 122 exposed on one side to atmospheric pressure, via avent opening 113, and on the other side to fluid pressure present inbore 72 and the container interior, via a passageway between chamber 115and bore 72, as the pump is sealed to the container being pressurized orevacuated. Movable electrical contact 114 is attached to membrane 122,and both move progressively inward (left) when the pressure in bore 72and the container fall farther below atmospheric pressure, and moveprogressively outward (right) when the pressure in bore 72 and thecontainer rise above atmospheric pressure. When the bore/containerpressure falls to a predetermined degree of vacuum, movable contact 114completes the circuit between vacuum contact 118 and contact 116, andenergizes signal 112 connected to battery pack 18, preferably a light.Conversely, when the bore/container pressure rises to a predetermineddegree of overpressure, movable contact 114 completes the circuitbetween pressure contact 120 and contact 116, and energizes signal light112. Alternatively, signal 112 may be a sounding device that emits anoise when energized.

Membrane 122 is preferably made from a flexible thermoplastic materialof durometer and thickness suitable to move the contacts as described,when exposed to the desired pressure or vacuum limit. As shown in FIG. 2a, a preferred embodiment 110′ of the indicator, flexible membrane 122′extending across chamber 115 has a curved inner surface to increase theamount of surface area exposed to the pressure differential present inchamber 115, and a pair of movable electrical contacts 114 a, 114 bconnected thereto. Electrical contact 119 is contacted by movable vacuumcontact 114 b when the bore pressure falls to a predetermined degree ofvacuum, and is contacted by movable pressure contact 114 a when the borepressure rises to a predetermined degree of overpressure. If eitherevent occurs, the circuit is completed to energize signal 112. Theposition of contact 119 may be fixed or may be adjustable forcalibration purposes.

Another embodiment of the combination vacuum/pressure pump of thepresent invention is depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, with the flow controlmember in the pressure and vacuum positions, respectively. Thisembodiment is the same as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, except thatpassageway 66 contains no one-way valve. In the pressure configuration,the pump operates in the same manner as described in connection withFIG. 5, with the exception that during the upstroke of piston 44, thereis no one-way valve in flow control member passageway 66 to prevent airflow back into chamber from bore 72. In this embodiment, the pump relieson a one-way valve in the stopper of the food or drink container, suchas the vacuum/pressure stopper 20 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,785 depicted inFIG. 1, to prevent upflow of air from the container into bore 72. Thestopper of FIGS. 12-15, described further below, may also be used withthis pump embodiment. Since pump head 14 is coupled and sealed firmly tothe opening of the stopper, no air flows into chamber 48 through openpassageway 66 during the upstroke.

The vacuum position of flow control valve 70 is shown in FIG. 8, andagain the pump operates in a manner similar to that described in FIG. 2,except that there is no one-way valve in passageway 66 to prevent flowof air from chamber 48 and out through bore 72 during the downwardstroke of piston 44. In a manner analogous to the pressureconfiguration, when the pump is coupled to a vacuum stopper 20 of thetype shown in FIG. 1, the one-way valve in the stopper prevents air fromentering the container, and so no air flows out of chamber 48 throughbore 72 in pump head 14.

The combination vacuum/pressure pump embodiments shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 7and 8 may also be made to be either pressure-only or vacuum-only pumps,by replacing the rotatable flow control member 70 with a fixed memberwith the one-way valves 62 a and/or 62 b in the appropriateorientations. Alternatively, flow control member 70 may be dispensedwith entirely, and replaced with fixed passageways 66, 68, andappropriately oriented one-way valves disposed therein.

In another embodiment of the vacuum/pressure pump, depicted in FIGS. 9,10 and 11, selectable flow control member 70 is disposed below one-wayvalves 62 a, 62 b, and above one-way valves 62 c, 62 d, and has onlyangled passageways 66 a, 68 a, without any one-way valves. As shown inFIG. 9 in the pressure-pumping configuration, one-way valve 62 a isdisposed between piston 44 and flow control member 70 within chamber 48,and opens to permit only outflow of air from chamber 48 during thedownward pressure stroke of piston 44. No air may pass into chamber 48through one-way valve 62 a which closes during the upward vacuum strokeof the piston. One-way valve 62 a communicates with an internalpassageway 68, which extends at an angle from one side of cylindricalmember 70 to the other side. During the piston downstroke, airexhausting from chamber 48 through one-way valve 62 a enters opening 67a to internal valve passageway 68, and passes through the passageway 68to opening 67 b (see also FIG. 11). Opening 67 b of cylindrical member70 communicates with bore 72 which extends out through a bottom openingof pump head 14. During the upstroke of piston 44, atmospheric air flowsthrough a slot 74 in the side of pump housing 12 from atmospheric airsurrounding housing 12 to one way valve 62 d which opens to permit onlypassage of air upward into opening 65 b of cylindrical member 70.Another internal passageway 66 extends from opening 65 b throughcylindrical member 70 and out of opening 65 a, which is in communicationwith chamber 48. This permits air to be replenished within chamber 48during the piston upstroke. One-way valve 62 d closes and does notpermit escape of air from the chamber or through internal passageway 66to the atmosphere during the down stroke of piston 44. Due to theposition of flow control member 70 and passageways 66, 68, valves 62 band 62 c do not permit airflow during the pressure-pumping mode. As withthe previous embodiment, flow control valve 70 preferably has apolymeric surface or O-rings (not shown) around openings 65 a, 65 b, 67a, 67 b to prevent air from passing around or through the member otherthan through passages 66 a, 68 a, while permitting rotation thereof.

In the vacuum-pumping configuration depicted in FIG. 10, knob 16 isrotated 180° to reverse the configurations of internal passageways 66and 68. During the upward vacuum stroke of piston 44, air travels upwardthrough bore 72 and into through the now lower opening 65 a of internalpassageway 66 in cylindrical member 70, and then upwards and out throughopening 65 b and through open one way valve 62 b into chamber 48.One-way valve 62 b closes and does not permit flow in the reversedirection, i.e., out, of chamber 48. During the downward pressure strokeof piston 44, air in chamber 48 is exhausted through the now upperopening 67 b of internal passageway 68 through cylindrical member 70 andopening 67 a, down through open one way valve 62 c, and out throughanother slit 74 to atmosphere. One-way valve 62 c closes and does notpermit flow of air in the reverse direction. Due to the position of flowcontrol member 70 and passageways 66, 68, valves 62 a and 62 d do notpermit airflow during the vacuum-pumping mode.

Another vacuum/pressure stopper that may be used with the combinationvacuum/pressure pump of the present invention is depicted in FIGS.12-15. Stopper 20 a has a stopper top 22 for removable sealingengagement with a pump, preferably with pump head 14 engaging lip 24 inupper central opening 99 a. Stopper bottom 26 is disposed in neck 32 ofcontainer 30, and includes a pour passageway formed by upstanding sidewalls 103, which are spaced inward from lower central opening 99 b bywalls 102, which form parallel annular passageways 101. During pouring,when the container is tipped from an upright position, passageways 101surrounding pour opening 103 permit air to flow into the container torelease back pressure. Pour passageway 103, walls 102 and passageways101 may be integrally formed with stopper bottom 26, or may be formed asa separate insert. Ball valve body 98 has a generally spherical outersurface mounted within a correspondingly shaped portion of upper centralopening 99 a, with shaft 96 extending outward through an opening instopper top 22 to external knob 94. Ball valve body 98 is rotatable byknob 94 in direction 105 between pour, pressure seal and vacuum sealpositions (as will be explained further below), and seals against theinner walls of upper central opening 99 a sufficiently to prevent fluidfrom passing around the ball valve body and shaft, while stillpermitting rotation. For pressure use, the stopper preferably has apositive clamping mechanism to hold it firmly to the container, forexample, the screw top configuration shown in FIG. 5 of U.S. Pat. No.5,031,785.

To permit access to the contents of the food or drink container, ballvalve body 98 has a pour opening 100 therethrough which, when rotatedand aligned with central opening 99 a to an open position as shown inFIG. 12, permits pouring of fluids into or out of container 30. In theopen, pour position, one-way valve 62 a is inoperative. To seal thecontainer contents for vacuum or pressure, knob 94 is rotated 90° torotate the orientation of pour opening 100 to a closed position so thatit is sealed against the inner walls of opening 99 a. Disposed along oneside of pour opening 100 is an opening containing one-way valve 62 a,which is opposite passageway 97 on the other side of the pour opening.When knob 94 is rotated 90° in one direction or the other from the pourposition, one-way valve 62 a is placed in either a pressure seal or avacuum seal operative position within the appropriate stopper. In thevacuum seal position shown in FIG. 13, one-way valve 62 a seals closedwhen the contents of container 30 are below outside atmosphericpressure. During vacuum pumping by pump 10, one-way-valve 62 a opens topermit fluid to be removed from container 30 through passageway 103 andannular opening 101, lower central opening 99 b, passageway 97 and uppercentral opening 99 a. When knob 94 is rotated 180° from the position ofFIG. 13, the orientation of ball valve body 98, one-way valve 62 a andpassageway 97 is inverted and placed in the pressure seal position. Inthis position (not shown), one-way valve 62 a seals closed to preventpressurized fluid from flowing out of container 30, while stillpermitting fluid to be pumped into the container by pump 10. Asdescribed above, for pressure sealing the stopper preferably employs aclamp or seal to keep the stopper in place on the container.

While any known one-way valves 62 a, 62 b, 62 c and 62 d may beutilized, for example the flap valve shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and10, the preferred one-way valve of the present invention is depicted inFIGS. 16, 17 and 18. As shown in FIG. 16, valve diaphragm 80 is made ofa one-piece, unitary, flexible polymer and has either a central sealingbulb member 86 (FIG. 17), or a flat cap member 86 a (FIG. 18), eachsupported by four arms 84 radially extending inward from ring member 82.FIGS. 17 and 18 depict valve diaphragm 80 mounted in any of one-wayvalves 62 a, 62 b, 62 c or 62 d to permit airflow only in direction 78.Because of the different orientations of the one-way valves in thefigures, the relative position of the valve depicted in FIG. 17 would beinverted for those one-way valves in which the permitted airflowdirection is downward. Valve diaphragm ring member 82 is disposed in theupstanding cylindrical collar 85 of the one-way valve seat 87, outwardof one-way valve seat opening 64, so that arms 84 hold bulb 86 (FIG. 17)or cap 86 a (FIG. 18) in normally biased sealing relationship againstvalve opening 64 in the base of the valve seat. As shown in FIG. 18,when using cap 86 a, opening 64 may include an upstanding lip 64 a toseal against the lower surface of the cap in the closed position. (Lip64 a may also be used to seal against the lower surface of bulb 86 inthat embodiment.) When air is forced upward through passageway 64 indirection 78, or a vacuum is pulled above diaphragm 80 in direction 78,the bulb is drawn upward into position 86′ (FIG. 17), or the cap isdrawn upward into position 86 a′ (FIG. 18), and the arms flex andstretch upward into position 84′ to open passageway 64 and permit airflow in direction 78. When the airflow is reversed, bulb 86 or cap 86 aremains seated in opening 64, and does not permit airflow in thedirection opposite to arrow 78.

In operation of the combination vacuum/pressure pump of the presentinvention, the pump head 14 is placed in sealing relationship with astopper or other opening in a food or drink container. For a vacuumoperation, selector knob 16 is rotated to place the cylindrical flowcontrol member 70 in the vacuum position (FIGS. 2, 8, 10) and the motoris turned on. As described previously, the rotational output of motor 40is translated by the piston drive mechanism to reciprocating motion ofpiston 44, and given the configuration of one way valves 62 a, 62 b, 62c, and/or 62 d and position of the internal passageways 66, 68 of member70, air is drawn out of the container and exhausted through the pumpchamber 48 into the atmosphere until a desired amount of air iswithdrawn from the container. At that point the pump is withdrawn andthe stopper 20 or 20 a, or other sealing means prevents the flow of airback into the container.

For pressurizing, pump head 14 is again sealed to a container and knob16 is rotated to place cylindrical flow control member 70 in thepressure position and invert the positions of passageways 66, 68 (FIGS.5, 7, 9), whereupon engaging the motor and causing the piston toreciprocate, air is drawn from the atmosphere through chamber 48, member70 internal passageways and the appropriate one(s) of one-way valves 62a, 62 b, 62 c and/or 62 d, and then forced down into the pump container,until it is pressurized to a desired extent. As before, the pump is thenremoved and the container is sealed by stopper 20 or 20 a, or othersealing means.

In addition to evacuating or pressurizing containers through a stoppervalve of the type shown in FIG. 1 or 12-15, the present invention may beutilized to extract a cork from a container, for example a wine bottle,as shown in FIG. 19. An injection needle is sealed to the opening at thebottom of pump head 14 and inserted through cork 92 in the open neck 32of bottle 30. Pressurized air may be pumped from pump 10 through needle90 into bottle 30, to force a cork up and out of neck 32.

In FIGS. 20 and 21 there is depicted the pump of the present invention,configured in the vacuum-pumping mode, in combination with a lid of afood or drink container. Flat, circular lid 120 attaches by a lip 121 atits periphery, by snap fit, to hermetically seal the open neck of acontainer 130, such as a typical one-pound cylindrical coffee can, or acustom mating container. Pump 10′ is shown in a vacuum only mode,without the movable flow control member but otherwise similar to thatshown in FIG. 2, and is disposed in a horizontal configuration so thathousing 12′ serves as a handle to attach and remove the lid. Batterypack 18, motor 40, output shaft 42, rotating member 52, reciprocatingmember 50, piston seals 46, one-way valves 62 a, 62 b and atmosphericvent 74 all operate in the same manner as previously described.Passageway 72 communicates through conical head 14 with the lower sideof lid 120 to permit air or other fluid to be pumped out of the interiorof container 130. An electrical switch 125 is provided adjacent to theperiphery of lid 120, and is movable between a biased open position whenthe lid is off the container, and a closed position when lid 120 isplaced on the container. An electrical circuit is provided connectingbattery pack 18, motor 40 and vacuum indicator 110′. Unlike theindicator shown in FIG. 2 a, the contact moved by membrane 122′ is inthe normally closed position at atmospheric pressure, and is opened whenthe pressure in passageway 72 (and the interior of container 130)reaches a desired degree of vacuum, at which time the contacts open.When the lid is snapped onto a container at normal atmospheric pressure,switch 125 is closed and, because the switch contacts of indicator 110′are also closed, the circuit is closed, motor 40 is energized by battery18, and pump 10′ commences removing the air from the interior ofcontainer 130. When the predetermined degree of vacuum is achieved,membrane 122′ moves to open the contacts of indicator 110′, and open thecircuit, shutting off the vacuum pump. Since the atmospheric pressureoutside the container is higher than the pressure inside the container,one way valves 62 a, 62 b are sealed closed, and air cannot enter thecontainer through the lid. Should the seal between lid 120 and container130 leak while the lid is in place, or if the container otherwisepermits air to enter, the contacts of vacuum indicator 110′ will againclose and return the contents of the container to the predeterminedvacuum level. When lid 120 is removed from the container, switch 125returns to its normally open position, and the pump cannot operate.

If one-way valves 62 a, 62 b are reversed, so that the pump operatesonly in the pressure mode, and indicator 110′ is calibrated to open at apredetermined level of pressure above atmospheric, the combination lid120 and pump 10′ may be used to maintain the interior of container 130in a pressurized state. In their reversed position, one way valves 62 a,62 b are sealed closed because the atmospheric pressure outside thecontainer is lower than the pressure inside the container, and aircannot escape the container through the lid. If air does escape,indicator 110′ will close its contacts, and the pump will add more airpressure. Alternatively, in the embodiment of FIGS. 20 and 21, one-wayvalves 62 a, 62 b may be mounted in a movable flow control valve asdescribed previously to provide a switch between vacuum and pressuremodes. Lid 120 should be provided with a positive sealing mechanism withcontainer 130, such as a screw or clamp, if used in the pressure mode.

A controller 128, such as a microprocessor, may also be incorporated inthe circuit of the lid pump 10′ to cycle the pump on and off as desired.This is useful when the container is used for marinating foods. Theconfiguration of truncated conical head 14 permits it to bealternatively used with a stopper as well, as described above, or todirectly seal to the opening of a wine bottle. In the latter case,additional structure may be needed to maintain the pump and lidcombination on top of the bottle when the bottle is stored.

Thus, the present invention provides a hand-held, motorized combinationvacuum/pressure pump, which in one aspect, is conveniently andexternally switchable between the vacuum and pressure modes. In anotheraspect, the pump may be used exclusively in vacuum or pressure modes. Inthe former, the pump may also be combined with a container lid toautomatically maintain a vacuum when in place; in the latter the pumpmay also be used with a needle to remove corks from wine bottles. Thestopper of the present invention is conveniently switchable between pourand either vacuum- or pressure-keeping modes for the container. The pumpand stopper of the present invention may be used in combination witheach other, as described herein, or with other stoppers and pumps,respectively.

While the present invention has been particularly described, inconjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident thatmany alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent tothose skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It istherefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any suchalternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the truescope and spirit of the present invention.

1-32. (canceled)
 33. A pump comprising: a pump housing having a pumpchamber; a piston in sliding, substantially airtight engagement withwalls of the pump chamber, adapted to reciprocate in a direction betweenpressure and vacuum strokes within the chamber, for pumping air into orout of the pump; a motor in the pump housing powering a rotatable outputshaft; and a piston drive operatively connecting the motor output shaftand the piston comprising a member extending transversely to thedirection of movement of the piston and a track extendingcircumferentially around and engaging the transversely extending memberin sliding relationship, the track having a non-linear configurationsuch that, upon rotation of the output shaft, the transversely extendingmember slides with respect to the track and imparts a reciprocatingmotion to the operatively connected piston within the pump chamber. 34.The pump of claim 33 wherein the track has a substantially sinusoidalconfiguration.
 35. The pump of claim 33 wherein the transverselyextending member comprises at least one wheel slidingly received in thetrack.
 36. The pump of claim 33 wherein the transversely extendingmember comprises at least one wheel slidingly captured in the track, thetrack having a substantially sinusoidal configuration.
 37. The pump ofclaim 33 wherein the track extends circumferentially around an interiorwall of a reciprocating drive member connected to the piston.
 38. Thepump of claim 33 wherein the transversely extending member is disposedon a rotatable drive member operatively connected to the motor outputshaft.
 39. The pump of claim 33 wherein the track extendscircumferentially around an interior wall of a reciprocating drivemember operatively connected to the piston and the transverselyextending member is disposed on a rotatable drive member operativelyconnected to the motor output shaft, the rotatable drive memberextending within the reciprocating drive member and adapted to rotatethe transversely extending member to cause the transversely extendingmember to slide within the track and impart reciprocating motion to theoperatively connected piston within the pump chamber.
 40. A pumpcomprising a pump chamber, a piston in the pump chamber, and a one-wayvalve communicating with the pump chamber comprising: a valve seathaving an opening therein; and a valve diaphragm having a sealing membersupported by flexible arms in a normally biased position against andsealing the valve seat opening, wherein when a fluid is forced in afirst direction through the valve seat opening against the sealingmember, the arms flex and move the sealing member away from the valveseat opening to permit fluid flow out of the valve seat opening, andwhen the fluid is forced in a direction opposite the first direction,the arms do not flex and the sealing member remains in the normallybiased position against and sealing the valve seat opening to restrictfluid flow.
 41. The pump of claim 40 wherein the sealing membercomprises a bulb or cap suspended by a plurality of radially extendingarms attached to the valve seat outward of the valve seat opening.42-50. (canceled)
 51. A pump comprising a housing, a pump chamber in thehousing, a piston slidable in the pump chamber, and an indicator forindicating when a desired level of vacuum or pressure has been reachedcomprising a flexible membrane exposed to atmospheric pressure outsidethe pump and to fluid pressure present within the pump chamber, amovable electrical contact operatively connected to the membrane tocomplete one circuit when the pressure in the pump falls to a desiredpressure below atmospheric pressure, and complete another circuit whenthe pressure in the pump rises to a desired pressure above atmosphericpressure, and an indicator signal energizable when the movableelectrical contact completes either one or the other circuit. 52-54.(canceled)